Thread: Anyone crimp

Anyone crimping hunting loads in bolt actions?have heard it improves consistency over non crimped loads,understand crimping in lever guns(I load for 44 lever gun as well as bolt action)any advice?I have crimp dies for my .243 and .308 from loading trail boss sub loads in both.cheers

Richard Lee in his book extrolls crimping. I got a Lee crimping die for my 32/20 thru Reloading Direct who special ordered it. It made absolutely no difference to the 1/2 reasonable groups I was already getting out of my Savage bolt gun. YMMD.

Yes, I do for hornet loads where the thin case mouths benefit from a crimp to attain consistent neck tension.

Will also do the same for .223 and .308 when brass is on its last legs for the same outcome. Even neck tension.

If you use Lee mandrel sizing does, crimping makes sense too.


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Only for the shotgun lol.

Originally Posted by Dicko

Yes, I do for hornet loads where the thin case mouths benefit from a crimp to attain consistent neck tension.

Will also do the same for .223 and .308 when brass is on its last legs for the same outcome. Even neck tension.

If you use Lee mandrel sizing does, crimping makes sense too.


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As in 44mag using Lee. Turns out nice ammo.

Originally Posted by Dicko

Yes, I do for hornet loads where the thin case mouths benefit from a crimp to attain consistent neck tension.

Will also do the same for .223 and .308 when brass is on its last legs for the same outcome. Even neck tension.

If you use Lee mandrel sizing does, crimping makes sense too.


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That makes sense, I use the lee collect die with mandrel pulled out, feel it gives a more even tighten of the neck, adjust to use use feel to get even pressure. Some of my old good brass was neck turned & some is just random range stuff. With so many different brands of brass it has to be sorted, rough stuff & Sunday best.

I'm crimping subsonic/reduced loads (1000 fps and 1800 fps) in 222 and 308, definitely makes a difference. Haven't bothered for the full noise loads, they are grouping ok.

Originally Posted by bjp

I'm crimping subsonic/reduced loads (1000 fps and 1800 fps) in 222 and 308, definitely makes a difference. Haven't bothered for the full noise loads, they are grouping ok.

Is that commonly needed?. I had some light cast loads a while back that the powder wouldnt ignite.

I stopped crimping many year ago as it proofed to make no difference in accuracy on centrefire cartriges. I did however crimp when reloading for the hand gun cartriges.


When done properly it sure does look good.

Only apply a crimp on projectiles with a canalure.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Is that commonly needed?. I had some light cast loads a while back that the powder wouldnt ignite.

Not sure about powder ignition, I use standard primers and AS50n powder, never had a problem. I am neck sizing then crimping the subsonic loads, as it seems to be producing good results with less effort than full length sizing (no case lube needed)

Originally Posted by bjp

Not sure about powder ignition, I use standard primers and AS50n powder, never had a problem. I am neck sizing then crimping the subsonic loads, as it seems to be producing good results with less effort than full length sizing (no case lube needed)

I'm using as50n also. I'll load up 3 or 4 to try again. Must be primers then. Had a few old ones given to me that were inconsistent/weak.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

I'm using as50n also. I'll load up 3 or 4 to try again. Must be primers then. Had a few old ones given to me that were inconsistent/weak.

No guarantees given with old stuff.
How would the as50n go in Hornet?

I started crimping the Hornet, using the Lee crimping die 15 odd years ago as I was getting very inconsistent loads and below average grouping with the S&B brass I was using at the time, the crimping improved things no end. Since then I've been crimping a few different calibers depending on the brass and neck tension and seating depths. I rate the Lee dies because you can use heavy or light crimping, most of mine is light, just enough to give consistent neck tension.

Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

No guarantees given with old stuff.
How would the as50n go in Hornet?

probably fine, I expect might be similar amount of powder needed? I'm using just under 3gn for 1000 fps in my 20" 222 with 55gn RNFP, 1750 fps with 6gn. I used the Lyman cast bullet handbook at a guide.

Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

No guarantees given with old stuff.
How would the as50n go in Hornet?

It's roughly same as green dot. There will be data out there.